14 Cinnamon Treats and Breakfast Recipes to Start the Day Sweet

Cinnamon and breakfast are a natural match, there’s something about that sweet, warm spice that makes mornings feel instantly more comforting. Whether it’s baked into muffins, swirled into rolls, sprinkled into oatmeal, or folded into pancakes, cinnamon has a way of turning even simple ingredients into something cozy and satisfying. This collection brings together all kinds of cinnamon-filled breakfast ideas, from quick overnight oats to special weekend bakes that fill the kitchen with that unmistakable spiced aroma. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just making something warm for yourself, these recipes are all about starting the day with something delicious.

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

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These oven-baked donuts are soft inside with a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating on the outside. No frying needed. They’re quick to make and best served warm. A great weekend treat.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Cinnamon pancakes topped with cooked diced apples. — Apple Cinnamon Pancakes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chopped apples and cinnamon get folded into a fluffy pancake batter for a fall-inspired breakfast. Each bite is warm, spiced, and filled with apple chunks. Serve with butter and maple syrup. A cozy way to start the day.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

All the cinnamon roll flavor in muffin form—no rising or rolling required. A cinnamon sugar swirl runs through each one, and they’re topped with a drizzle of icing. The texture is tender and cake-like. Easier than rolls, just as satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Skillet Cake

Cinnamon roll pumpkin skillet cake with icing drizzled from spoon. — Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Skillet Cake. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

This skillet bake combines pumpkin spice and cinnamon roll flavor in one cozy dish. The center stays soft and gooey while the edges turn golden. A drizzle of icing finishes it off. Serve warm, straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Skillet Cake

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls get an upgrade with chopped apples baked right into the filling. The fruit softens in the oven, adding texture and flavor. A sweet glaze over the top makes them even better. Perfect for weekends or brunch gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples

White bowl of cinnamon apples with a spoon. — Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Slices of apple cook quickly in the Instant Pot with cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of butter. The result is soft, syrupy apples that taste like pie filling. Great over pancakes, oatmeal, or toast. Make extra and keep them in the fridge for the week.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples

Homemade Cinnamon Twists

Strips of soft dough are twisted with cinnamon sugar and baked until golden and fragrant. The layers stay tender, and a light glaze adds just enough sweetness. These are easy to make but look like a bakery treat. Perfect with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Twists

Cinnamon Roll Cresent Rolls

Cinnamon crescent rolls on a white plate. — Cinnamon Roll Cresent Rolls. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Crescent roll dough gets rolled up with a cinnamon sugar filling and baked into soft, sweet spirals. A glaze drizzle makes them feel like mini cinnamon rolls. These are fast, fun, and easy to make with kids. Serve warm out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cresent Rolls

Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts

An overhead view of a cinnamon bread. — Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Balls of dough coated in cinnamon sugar bake together into a pull-apart loaf that’s sticky and sweet. It’s great for sharing and even better with icing. Each piece pulls off easily. Serve warm for the best texture.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This stovetop oatmeal cooks with chopped apples and cinnamon for a naturally sweet, warm bowl. The apples soften without falling apart, and the oats turn creamy. Add nuts or a spoonful of nut butter for extra richness. A reliable, cozy classic.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Cinnamon Oatmeal Baked Apples

Apple stuffed with oatmeal and topped with whole 30 whipped cream on a white plate with maple syrup on it and more apples in a pan behind them. — Cinnamon Oatmeal Baked Apples. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Whole apples are filled with a spiced oat mixture and baked until soft and fragrant. The cinnamon seeps into the apple as it cooks, turning breakfast into something that feels like dessert. The topping gets golden and crisp. Serve warm with a spoonful of yogurt.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Oatmeal Baked Apples

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

A buttery, soft cake with a cinnamon sugar ribbon and a crumbly streusel topping. It’s sweet without being too rich and pairs perfectly with a morning coffee. Bakes beautifully in a square pan. A solid brunch option.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet potato muffins on a cooling rack. — Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffins. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Sweet potatoes add moisture and natural sweetness to these warmly spiced muffins. Cinnamon rounds out the flavor, making them ideal for chilly mornings. The texture is soft with a slightly crisp top. Great for grab-and-go breakfasts.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffins

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Two jars of apple oatmeal topped with chopped apples, surrounded by whole apples and a bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruits. — Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Rolled oats soak overnight with cinnamon, milk, and chopped apples. By morning, it’s soft, creamy, and ready to eat, no cooking needed. Add nuts, seeds, or yogurt on top. Great for busy mornings or make-ahead meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats